Due to the explosion caused by Lev, the entirety of Chaldea had sustained significant damage, but oddly enough, the testing grounds remained largely unscathed. This was likely because the facility was built with the strength of summoned Heroic Spirits in mind, making it exceptionally sturdy. Furthermore, it was rarely used, so Lev hadn't bothered focusing much attention on it. As a result, it had luckily managed to stay intact.
However, no one present was paying attention to that; their eyes were locked onto the two figures in the center of the arena.
On one side was Lancer, shirtless and gripping his crimson spear. On the other was a young girl dressed in a maid uniform. It was a bizarre sight.
"Isn't Lancer a 'Magus'?"
Since she didn't know much about magecraft—and her knowledge of the Holy Grail War was limited to common sense learned from "textbooks"—Fujimaru Ritsuka only knew that Mash had once mentioned Lancer might be a "Magician," one of the strongest mages of legend. Why was he using a melee weapon? Shouldn't he be using a staff?
"A 'Magician' refers to a magus who has reached the Root and mastered 'Magic.' As for their personal combat style, that isn't necessarily fixed."
Having realized her status as a "ghost" and seeing that every "Master" in Chaldea—aside from Fujimaru Ritsuka—had been placed in cryofreeze, Olga Marie was forced to make a decision: she had to train Fujimaru Ritsuka up.
This was why she was being so patient in explaining things to her; otherwise, under normal circumstances, she wouldn't be so amiable about explaining "basic knowledge."
While the two were talking, Mash eyes suddenly widened.
"It's starting."
Leone first teacher had been Lancer, but back then, he had only taught her some basic training methods. After all, he wasn't very good at unarmed combat himself. It was only after studying under Li Shuwen for a while that he mastered it, and even then, he was the type who couldn't really teach others. Consequently, from the very beginning of this spar, he treated Leone as a "stranger" opponent.
After a tentative spear thrust, Lancer was surprised to find that Leone didn't just parry the attack with both hands; she charged straight for his chest.
Normally, Lancer wouldn't hesitate to pull her into an embrace, but right now...
Smack!
Rotating the spear, he swung the butt of the shaft forward, striking Leone right hand while simultaneously pivoting his body to dodge the left hook aimed at his chest.
Though he evaded her rush, the moment the distance was closed, he found himself temporarily suppressed. This left Lancer at a loss for words for a moment. It seemed that during their time apart, Leone had undergone training even more grueling than his own.
And that was just the "opening act." Realizing she couldn't land a clean hit on Lancer, Leone unhesitatingly activated her "Imperial Arm."
Ears sprouted from her head, a tail grew from behind, and her hands transformed into large feline claws. Usually, this looked quite cute, but when she could track his movements by sound while her back was turned, easily leave wounds on his body with her claws, and whip her tail around like a steel lash, it became overwhelming.
But would Lancer be defeated so easily?
Leone specialized in destroying enemies with a torrential rain of continuous attacks. Her Noble Phantasms also showed that she primarily focused on self-reinforcement. Lancer had encountered plenty of opponents like this before, with the only difference being that those opponents were usually two-meter-tall muscular men, whereas the one before him was a "beast-ear girl."
One side kept up a relentless offensive, circling the opponent like an endless wave, while the other remained incredibly calm despite the danger. Though he looked to be in a precarious spot, he consistently turned the tide, standing firm like a reef in the middle of a storm.
Neither of them truly unleashed their Noble Phantasms, but even so, the intensity of the fight made the onlookers' eyes shimmer.
Olga Marie, for instance, had always been prideful, but she lacked the confidence to survive Leone combo; she likely would have been insta-killed.
Mash, on the other hand, was putting herself in their positions to run a simulation, wondering if she could withstand it.
Although the answer she reached was that she could do it, she also knew that while the fight between Lancer and Leone looked intense, it was by no means a "fight to the death." The two were definitely holding back. After a moment of internal conflict, her gaze became more determined.
'I absolutely cannot fail the Servant who gave me their Spirit Origin. His power is far greater than this. I need to keep working hard!'
She had already decided that once Lancer and Leone finished their match, she would ask them to help her practice.
As for Fujimaru Ritsuka, she was having a great time. Since she didn't understand spearplay or martial arts at all, it just looked like a kung-fu movie with special effects to her, making it a very satisfying watch.
The battle lasted over ten minutes, and the intensity ramped up step by step. From simply trading blows to activating their respective Noble Phantasms, both were now covered in minor injuries, though they clearly avoided each other's vital spots.
"Shall we end this 'test' with the next blow?"
"Sure thing~ Boss~"
Just a moment ago she had a fierce expression, but hearing Lancer words, Leone broke into a radiant smile.
But as the smile vanished, a terrifying aura radiated from her body—an aura that felt incredibly familiar. It was the aura of a "beast."
What started as changes to her ears, limbs, and tail began to spread. Strange patterns originated from those points and crawled across her body until she was completely covered.
On all fours, her eyes turned into feline slits. At this moment, she seemed to have truly become the "King of Beasts" that exists in nature.
Feeling her powerful aura, Lancer instinctively swallowed hard.
But more than anything, he felt happy—happy for her growth.
Unlike him, whose every experience turned into power thanks to the "System," Leone had studied under Shishou after he left. She didn't have a "legend" per se; she was summoned simply because she existed, he had called for her, and she had answered.
In other words, Leone current abilities and strength were her own power, devoid of any external buffs. Her strength was likely on par with his own, which meant traveling together would be no problem at all!
Even though they were still in the middle of a fight, Lancer was already looking forward to their days of traveling together...